AUDIO: Donegal priest to vote Yes in Marriage Equality Referendum
Speaking to Greg Hughes on Highland Radio, Fr Brian O'Fearraigh said that this referendum is a civil matter and that he believes that the state cannot be seen to be discriminating against it's citizens.
"In voting Yes we are saying that the state will be recognising and cherishing all of it's citizens regardless of their sexual orientation or who they are," said Fr O'Fearraigh.
Fr O'Fearraigh said that his conscience is clear with regard his decision, regardless of the fact that his bishop, Bishop of Raphoe Philip Boyce, had publically declared he would be voting No.
"The reality of same-sex marriage is a reality that in no way threatens me or in no way offends me as an individual, as a priest and ultimately as a citizen of this state."
Barry Jones, a spokesperson for StandUp4Marriage, a group advocating a No vote was speaking on the same station to Greg Hughes and said that the referendum was "a matter for every individual, it's as simple as that, and that is a matter for him whatever way he wants to vote. It certainly sounds to me that he [Fr O Fearraigh] is misguided".
The referendum takes place on May 22.
